10Meters News Service

October 28, 2001 How long will it take for third-generation telephony to develop in Europe?

Try 2004 – that's when electronics giant Motorola predicted 3G technology will hit Europe's mainstream market. "There's a significant percentage chance it will be later than 2003," Motorola's European president, Kevin Loosemore told Reuters.

Wireless carriers are looking to 3G technology to pump up transmission rates, allowing services such as video and faster Internet connection, say experts.

"We'll go through a phase of many trials and experiments in which operators will iron out the bugs. The 3G standards aren't even finalized yet," said Loosemore.

On the General Packet Radio Systems, or 2.5 generation, front, Loosemore also told Reuters in an interview he expects Motorola to have sold a five million GPRS handsets at the end of the year.